Thoughts on Worship
from Pastor Lee
"I've been a worshipper here at Calvary Chapel San Bernardino for over 20+ years now. For many years now, I have been privileged to be the Worship leader, responsible for coordinating the music and worship bands that lead the worship during our weekly scheduled services. We currently have two different teams consisting of drums, bass, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and keyboards, and five to eight singers. Each team has a different style but all of the members are raised up from within this local body and are committed to this fellowship. Here is some of the philosophy of ministry we use concerning worship.
We are a worshiping church, and it is our desire to exalt the Lord in each and every service. We recognize that it is our duty as well as our joy to laud and glorify God the Father, and our redeemer Jesus as the Holy Spirit prompts us. We consider worship to be primarily singing as in Hebrews 2:12, as this form of corporate praise is biblical, Psalm 26:12, and it is the only form of worship we take to Heaven. (Revelation 5:9) Our worship is in "spirit" meaning that we commune with our God during these times, whether the song is "Jesus Mighty God" or "Jesus Draw Me Close" the music and lyric join together to focus our attention on God and His attributes. Worship is to be centered on God and not on man. That is why the songs we choose are either songs sung directly to Him, like "I Stand In Awe Of You" or "Shout To The Lord" which reminds us to corporately join as one to declare our Fathers Glory!
The primary purpose of the church is worship. We exist to glorify God through collectively meeting each Sunday and uniting our voices in praise. Without your life and voice, the flock's expression is incomplete. But even in the corporate setting, worship doesn't begin with a group activity. It begins with our individual responses to what God has revealed to us about Himself. That happens on a daily basis and it's from that 'daily walk' with God and that moment by moment experience with His love that brings a new song of praise.
Worship is for God, not for you!
I know many people who don’t like to sing. I can see them from the platform, barely moving their lips as if they’re afraid or uncomfortable? Looking at their watches, looking around the room nervously? If I were to ask my non singing friends about it, it might sound like this: “Oh Pastor, you haven’t heard how poorly I sing.” The Bible says to “make a joyful noise”, I have that part covered – “but my singing sounds like an injured moose!” The problem with that reasoning is that my friend’s singing is not for the people around him. He should sing for the pleasure of God, who accepts gifts based on the heart, not the craftsmanship.
Worship is a response to God
It’s for Him, not me.
It’s for His enjoyment not mine.
Worship is a response to God’s love, grace. . . . .
Psalms 147:1 Praise the LORD! For (it is) good to sing praises to our GOD; For (it is) pleasant, (and) praise is beautiful.
Come each week and let's glorify the Lord together.
Fall 2006
Season's change and with change comes a freshness in life to start again. A new day to choose to worship God fresh and new. Ecc. 3:1 "To everything [there is] a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." But what about worship? Can we as a congregation worship God with a renewed passion? As you know we meet each Sunday to glorify God by uniting our voices in praise. But even in the corporate setting, worship doesn't begin with a group activity. It begins with our individual responses to what God has revealed to us about Himself. That happens on a daily basis and it's from that 'daily walk' with God and that moment by moment experience with His love that brings a new song of praise.
Let's face it, without your life and voice, the flocks expression is incomplete. So let's dedicate this new season as a time of refreshing and come each week to glorify the Lord together.
| Great Quotes on Worship | Stephen James Website |
| Audience One (a great worship resource) | Karen Kennedy's Website |
